What to do in stormy weather?

[brig125]

Hi all. I've just ordered my first chicks today! Then we had a tornado warning here in Ohio and I thought...what do I do with the hens once they're outside and it's crazy severe weather? Of course I have a coop, but is that good enough protection for them? What do you all do?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I let them stay outside and lock them in the coop just in case. Once the weather lets up I open the coop. My coops been standing for ten years through sever storms and tornados so mine is pretty solid.

 

[LizzzyJo]

If your coop is made of good, heavy construction, then there's no bother worrying about it IMO. The only alternative is running out into the storm at night to get them and take them to the basement. Once they are big, if you have more than 1 or 2, this will be an impossible task, they'd go berserk. It would frighten them and cause a huge/fast temperature shift, which is also not good.
I worried about this a lot when I first got mine, so I completely understand where you're coming from. Our coop is constructed as hardy and solid as possible. That's all I do. I will say that if i find myself worrying about it, I imagine that if the coop broke apart and they were flung, then they would flap their wings and drift to safety. So, you can imagine my fantasy if you like

 

[21hens-incharge]

We just came through high winds and driving snow.
By high winds....We had gusts of 90 mph.

My coops are heavy.....very heavy.

Vents are planned out to be on the less windy sides and baffles installed to keep wind off the birds of it does blow in.

I kept my birds locked in the coop for two days now. Maybe tomorrow will be less windy and wet.

A family here in Colorado prepped a minivan in case the wildfire came their way.
I doubt in a tornado there would be time to get them loaded and save any.

 

[brig125]

I worried about this a lot when I first got mine, so I completely understand where you're coming from. Our coop is constructed as hardy and solid as possible. That's all I do. I will say that if i find myself worrying about it, I imagine that if the coop broke apart and they were flung, then they would flap their wings and drift to safety. So, you can imagine my fantasy if you like

I like that idea - definitely going to steal it. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[brig125]

We just came through high winds and driving snow.
By high winds....We had gusts of 90 mph.

My coops are heavy.....very heavy.

Vents are planned out to be on the less windy sides and baffles installed to keep wind off the birds of it does blow in.

I kept my birds locked in the coop for two days now. Maybe tomorrow will be less windy and wet.

A family here in Colorado prepped a minivan in case the wildfire came their way.
I doubt in a tornado there would be time to get them loaded and save any.

You're right, there wouldn't be time. I guess I'll just have to get used to leaving them outside in any kind of weather. I hope things clear up for you soon!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

We only get occasional tornados here however, we do get some wicked bad nor'easters with really high winds - 50 to 60 mph. I converted an existing shed into the chicken coop. It is very well built and very sturdy. The previous owner used it to house his huge garden tractor. We've had some serious storms here and the chickens stay in the coop when it is too nasty in the run. I covered the run with corrugated aluminum roofing for added protection from the array of predators we have around here. Some small branches fall from the overhead tree but they hit the roof and bounce off. The chickens are fine with that. As long as their favorite food dispenser shows up (that would be me) they are happy!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Didn't Dorothy's chicken survive a tornado?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Didn't Dorothy's chicken survive a tornado?

I think that was her little dog Toto.

 

[brig125]

We only get occasional tornados here however, we do get some wicked bad nor'easters with really high winds - 50 to 60 mph. I converted an existing shed into the chicken coop. It is very well built and very sturdy. The previous owner used it to house his huge garden tractor. We've had some serious storms here and the chickens stay in the coop when it is too nasty in the run. I covered the run with corrugated aluminum roofing for added protection from the array of predators we have around here. Some small branches fall from the overhead tree but they hit the roof and bounce off. The chickens are fine with that. As long as their favorite food dispenser shows up (that would be me) they are happy!

I like the idea of a study roof for the run. As opposed to just wire. Thanks!